The Supreme Court of Chad has definitively rejected the appeal filed by former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, Succès Masra. The ruling, delivered on May 21, confirms his 20-year prison sentence, a decision that has sparked widespread outrage among his supporters.
Les Transformateurs issued a statement condemning what they described as “a missed opportunity for justice to make history”, referring to the court’s refusal to overturn the initial verdict handed down last year. The party reiterated its long-standing claim that Masra’s detention is politically motivated, arguing that the Supreme Court’s decision reinforces the arbitrary nature of his imprisonment, which has now exceeded 371 days.
The opposition group also criticized the judiciary for dismissing global calls for Masra’s release, including appeals from international bodies advocating for adherence to the principles of the rule of law. Concern for Masra’s deteriorating health has intensified among his supporters, who describe his condition as “significantly worsened”.
Masra was convicted of conspiracy and complicity in murder following the Mandakao massacre in the Logone Occidental province in May 2025. With all domestic legal avenues exhausted, his legal team is now considering pursuing justice at the international level.
